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When Reading Becomes a Chore...

Reading is such a huge part of my life: it's the one thing that allows me to escape to fictional-world, make friends that lead exciting lives, and learn about what could come in the future. It makes me much more aware of what I should be doing to prevent a future like the setting of Breathe by Sarah Crossan happening, and also allows me to be part of this incredible community where loving to read and celebrating books is what matters. The only problem is, when you're a book reviewer, it can feel like reading is a chore, and this is one of the aspects I try to avoid as much as possible. I, of course, don't want the hobby I love to become something I have to force myself to do because the publication is only a few days away.

Opening a book becomes a chore for me when I receive a book from a publisher, realising it's not what I normally enjoy, and would suddenly rather be reading another book that I know I will love, which is waiting for me. I'm currently in this position. Patrick Ness' new novel 'More Than This' is waiting to be read, I've only managed to read the first-page because I've been so busy, and I'm stuck trying to finish all of the ARC's I've got in time for 2014.The important thing is to enjoy reading, for me, as I never want to purposefully rush a book and try to read it as fast as I can. Personally, I could never manage over fifty books in a year due to the fact I'm the type of reader that loves to just take every page, every paragraph and every sentence in, as well as understanding every piece of information. If I ever notice I'm starting to read quicker than usual, in an attempt to put it down, write a review, and never pick it up again, I begin to wonder since when did reading become something I had to do. I'm never more excited than when I get a book-shaped package, and love receiving books to review though!

Because I want to read everywhere.

To stop reading becoming a homework that is completely un-related to school, which, after all of my revision lately I definitely don't want to happen, I seem to get into the habit of reading a book I'm not enjoying much, and one I have been wanting to read, and have heard amazing things about at the same time. This isn't something I normally notice, I'll admit, until it comes to talking to someone who asks me what I'm currently reading, and start listing them! One of the worst things to happen is to get yourself into a reading slump but, I will have around two weeks(normally the holidays - which are one week away!) where I read a huge amount, and then will not pick up a book for another week. I wish they wouldn't happen, but If I don't want to read, I don't read. It's simple. I think this is a point that needs to be made as book bloggers turn those pages more times than most others so, if you read two books and then think, ' I need to read this one for that review to go up next week' STOP. I started going through a phase of doing this and my thoughts were elsewhere.

I doubt I will ever give all of the review-copies I receive a five-star rating; as I'm not going to love them all, and not every book is going to be my idea of brilliant. When I request an ARC, or get an email about the next month's books, I almost read the synopsis and choose one's I think I will like. This doesn't mean I just stay within the safe boundaries of one genre, as I adore finding a new type of book I like and having it surprise me, but instead if there's one I feel like I should get for the reason that I can, I make sure I don't ask for it. I want to write positive reviews and only give constructive criticism if I need to; so why start I book knowing that I may not like it in the first place? You've got to be in a certain 'mood' to read different genres. If you're going through exams and need a book to make you laugh, I suggest you pick up a copy of 'Geek Girl' not 'The Fault in Our Stars.' These are the small choices that make my love for books just grow.

Do you ever feel like reading becomes a chore? What do you do to make sure this doesn't happen? Tell me in the comments!

12 comments:

I totally get what you mean! For about 3 months my review pile has been stacking up. Most of those books are coming from a publisher who just sends you books without request. Which can make a lovely surprise, but isn't so pleasant when you've been sent something your not sure you'll like. About 50% of them I wouldn't have requested because I know I wouldn't like them. I really should tackle them before the end of the year but I have a feeling it will put me in a reading slump. Which I really don't want at the moment. I think I'm going to read one review book and then like you said, read TFIOS. Great post Sophie!

I always either ask or have a request to read a book - have you tried contacting them to ask for an email before they send you books? I loved getting post, and want to request every book I can possibly get my hands on, but, like you said, it puts you in a reading-slump!

A couple of months ago I noticed that I was reading a lot of mediocre ARCs and after that I've been far more careful in my choosing of which review copies I accept from publishers. I've been turning away more and only requesting books I'm genuinely excited for, and my reading materiel has improved a lot since then. It also gives me more time to read library copies and my own books, which is always great. Lovely post :)

I think I noticed the same thing and am being more selective about what I choose to read! Not because I'm picky, but because I want to promote the best books! Constant bad-reviews would put people off reading! I think that's a great idea - and own books are always so good!

Hmmm, reading hardly never feels like a chore to me. I guess I just found the right balance for me :) I always read several books at the same time, so one of them is always an ARC and the other is a book I just want to read. Switching between books is the perfect way for me, but I think many people end up in slumps when they have too many ARC's. I downloaded a lot of Edelweiss and I sort of feel stressed about it :p but I know that if I continue reading them together with other books, it will work out just fine :)

I had to stop using Net Galley as I was selecting WAY too many books and only making things a lot more stressful; then forgetting about them! I always try to do that - but other times I get so confused. Thanks for commenting, Mel!

I think all readers get you. Especially now that it's the end of the year there is no time and it's just starting to become boring and I can't find the motivation to read. I think it's partially because I'm tired because every time I go to read at night I just fall asleep. It has nothing to do with the book. I think I just got to get my motivation back on!

Tiredness definitely does not help me read either! The lack of sleep that comes with the end-of-school-term means I open a book and can't read because I almost fall asleep there! Hopefully, 2014 will mean motivation for us both!

Yep, reading can sometimes become a chore- which is why I've given up trying to be organized when it comes to ARCs (unless they haven't been released yet, then I try to read them before the release date.) I'm a mood reader, so I don't like picking up a book that I don't feel like reading because I know it'll affect my enjoyment of the book. I find that reading things when I feel like it is the best way to go! :)

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Hi! My name is Sophie, and I'm 15! I run the book-blog 'A Day Dreamer's World', and when I'm not planning blog posts, you can find me reading(a lot!), writing, or cooking. I also love listening to music, watching films, procrastinating my time on Twitter and drinking tea! I'm a huge fan of The Hunger Games, and a member of Nerdfighteria. May the odds be ever in your favour!

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